'Huge explosion and smoke everywhere': 3 dead in African Union helicopter crash in Somalia; investigations under way

A small military aircraft supporting the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia crashed Wednesday at Mogadishu’s airport.

The aircraft crashed and caught fire while landing at the Aden Abdulle airport, as per the state-run Somali National News Agency , SONNA. It was en route from Balli-Doogle Airfield in the Lower Shabelle region, reported news agency Associated Press.

The aircraft belongs to the African Union Support and Stabilsation Mission in Somalia and was carrying eight army personnel when it crashed. At least three have been declared dead, Arten Mohamed, heading the immigration office at the airport, said.

SONNA said on the social platform X that the fire “has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation.” Apart from minor delays, flights and other operations have since resumed.

“Once the situation is under control and the fire is extinguished by the firefighters, we will know more,” Ahmed Moalim Hassan, the director-general of the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority , told state media. “The firefighting team is still working to contain the fire; most of it has been put out, but there is still smoke, which we hope will be cleared soon,” he added.

Investigation is underway to gauge the full extent of the damage and casualties, Hassan added.

Aviation officer Omar Farah, one of the first to reach the crash site, told AP that he “saw the helicopter spinning and then it fell very fast.” A nearby resident, Abdirahim Ali, who also witnessed the crash, said that there was "a huge explosion and smoke everywhere”.

The African Union peacekeeping mission, AUSSOM, is assisting Somali authorities in their battle against al-Shabab, an extremist group that opposes foreign military presence in the Horn of Africa nation. The mission comprises troops from several nations, including Uganda and Kenya.